Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba has threatened to take legal action against newspapers carrying fake news about him in connection with the global protests against French products. Pogba said that reports claiming that he had quit the French national team were ‘total fake.’ He singled out the London-based tabloid, The Sun, for the mischief peddled against him.
Pogba wrote, “So The Sun did it again… absolutely 100% unfounded news about me are going around, stating things I have never said or thought. I am appalled, angry, shocked and frustrated some “media” sources use me to make total fake headlines in the sensible subject of French current events and adding my religion and the French National Team to the pot.”
The Manchester United star said that he was ‘against any and all forms of terror and violence’ adding that his religion Islam was ‘one of peace and love and must be respected.’
“Unfortunately, some press people don’t act responsibly when writing the news, abusing their press freedom, not verifying if what they write/reproduce is true, creating a gossip chain without caring it affects people’s lives and my life. I am taking legal action against the publishers and spreaders of these 100% Fake News.”
Publicly naming and shaming the London-based tabloid, Pogba said, “In a quick shout out to The Sun, who normally could not care less: some of you guys probably went to school and will remember how your teacher said to always check your sources, don’t write without making sure. But hey, seems you did it again and on a very serious topic this time, shame on you!”
The Sun, in its report, had claimed that Pgba quit playing for France in protest against French President Emmanuel Macron’s insulting comments for Islam. It had attributed its source to unnamed middle-eastern media outlets.
Pogba’s comments come amidst global outrage against Macron’s comments in defence of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Macron had also said that Islam was a religion in crisis. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had become the first head of state to officially called for the boycott of French products in protest against Macron’s comments.